These Promises Are Being Videotaped cover

These Promises Are Being Videotaped

El Ten Eleven · 2008

27 min · 8 tracks · post-rock

Intricate guitar loops and pulsing rhythms intertwine to create an expansive soundscape, blending post-rock with electronic elements.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Jumping Frenchmen of Maine — This opening track sets the tone with its layered guitar melodies and dynamic shifts, showcasing the band's signature style right from the start.
  • →
    I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool — With its playful title and infectious energy, this track exemplifies the fun and experimental spirit of the album, blending catchy riffs with intricate rhythms.
  • →
    Chino — Its concise structure and emotive guitar work highlight El Ten Eleven's ability to convey depth and feeling in shorter compositions, making it a standout moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate layering and dynamic shifts create a compelling instrumental experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features intricate guitar loops that are layered and looped, creating a rich tapestry of sound throughout.
  • Tracks often shift dynamics, with pulsing rhythms that build tension before releasing into expansive soundscapes.
  • Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, such as synthesized sounds and effects, which blend seamlessly with the live instrumentation.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • vibrant energy for active listening
  • short bursts of rhythmic excitement
  • playful soundscapes for exploration
  • dynamic layers that invite engagement

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer longer, immersive albums
  • seek straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on July 15, 2008, 'These Promises Are Being Videotaped' is El Ten Eleven's fourth studio album. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their unique blend of instrumental post-rock and electronic music after the success of their previous albums, particularly 'Every Direction Is North' from 2007.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Jumping Frenchmen of Maine 5:10
  • 2 I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool 3:54
  • 3 Fat Gym Riot 3:09
  • 4 Adam and Nathan Totally Kick Ass 4:26
  • 5 k10 4:14
  • 6 Paranoid Android 2:16
  • 7 Chino 2:52
  • 8 Numb Tooth 1:40

What to play next

It's Still Like a Secret
Listen next

It's Still Like a Secret

2010
Every Direction Is North
Go back to

Every Direction Is North

2007
Full El Ten Eleven discography Artists like El Ten Eleven
post-rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata